He watched me closely, and had my lips quivered or my eyelids fluttered, he would have hailed with joy such signs of weakness.

But I take pride in truthfully writing that I stood bold and impassively before him, and if I was pale I thank Heaven that pallor was the habit of my countenance, so that from that he could gather no satisfaction.

And standing there, I gave him back look for look, and waited.
"For the last time, Boccadoro," he said slowly, attempting by words to shake a demeanour that was proof against the impending facts of the cord, "I ask you to remember what must be the consequences of this stubbornness.

If not at the first hoist, why then at the second or the third, the torture will compel you to disclose what you may know.

Would you not be better advised to speak at once, while your limbs are soundly planted in their sockets, rather than let yourself be maimed, perhaps for life, ere you will do so ?" There was a stir of hoofs without.